Report on the Warwickshire Farm-Prize Competition, 1876. 515 
ment. A season of unusual growth had, no doubt, contributed 
materially to the grand result of 4j tons of saleable hay per acre ; 
but something more than ordinary care must have been exhibited 
in the saving of the crop, and something more than ordinary 
treatment in the preparation of the land. On inquiry we found 
that the crop had been dressed early in the season with the 
manure-soakage and waste earth, which is one of the specialities 
of Mr. Lane's farming, and the preparation of which I may as 
well here describe. 
A tank adjoining the farm-buildings, which are all spouted, 
receives the soakage of the yards. In winter, waste earth from 
various sources is diligently collected, hedge-clippings and other 
refuse contributing to the store, and the liquid manure is then 
pumped on to and thoroughly mixed with these matters, a very 
valuable compost being the result. The matter is not without 
consequence, as exhibiting the systematic economy which per- 
vades the management of the farm, and contributes so much to 
Mr. Lane's success in business. 
A portion of the seed-land is broken up early, after having had 
mangolds and cake consumed upon it by sheep, and planted with 
swedes. They are sown with the water-drill, and get 2 cwt. per 
acre of Webb's or other superphosphate. 
Wheat follows the seed-shift and is drilled early in November, 
at the rate of 5 or 6 pecks an acre. It is invariably harrowed, 
and hoed when necessary, which is not always the case after 
clover-seeds. The small quantity of seed gives ample plant, 
and although on the 12th of November (owing to the wetness of 
the season) sowing had not commenced, it was not thought 
necessary, in consequence of this delay, to increase the quantity 
of seed, and in May the wheat was well planted and promising 
in appearance. 
The Pulse Crop is next in order, and with it begins the inost 
noticeable feature of Mr. Lane's management, and one which is 
carried out with such admirable method as to deserve the attentive 
consideration of the agricultural world. On the portion of this 
course which is allotted to beans (generally about 35 acres) the 
winter variety is invariahhj sown, the land having previously 
received a dressing of 12 one-horse loads per acre of farmyard- 
manure. The beans are planted early in November after one 
ploughing, 2 bushels an acre being drilled in double rows, 
9 inches apart ; the distance between each double row is 
27 inches. Thirty-one inches was formerly the width adopted, 
but some difficulty was experienced in cutting them properly with 
the reaper at this width, and they are therefore now drilled at 
27 inches. This method leaves ample room for hand- and horse- 
hoeing, which is vigorously prosecuted among them throughout 
